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Thriving communities: a framework for preventing and intervening early in child neglect

Thriving communities: a framework for preventing and intervening early in child neglect
How we can act now to stop child neglect

Neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment in the UK. Evidence is growing that we can both prevent and intervene effectively to stop child neglect.

This report is for national and local decision-makers and commissioners. It sets out actions across five levels of society - children, parents, communities, universal services and local government - to help stop child neglect. The report focuses on taking action before the need for intervention from children's social care at a Child in Need or Child Protection level.

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Relationships: the most important relationship is between the child and their parents. But wider relationships with practitioners, local communities and support networks are also key to preventing neglect.

Knowledge and awareness: everyone needs to understand what child neglect looks like, why it happens and what to do about it.

Evidence-based responses: evidence shifts practice from what we think works to what we know works. We need to draw on evidence-based approaches, tools and services to effectively tackle neglect.

Actions targeted at different groups will make a difference.

Children and young people

Use the Personal Social Health & Economic Education (PSHE) curriculum to increase knowledge and awareness of healthy child development and neglect.

Develop positive and trusting relationships between children and practitioners. In health services for example, promote the role of school nurses; make sure children see the same health professional at each contact.

"A concerted shift to prevention where everyone – children, parents, communities, universal services and local government - works together to help children thrive, preventing neglect before it happens and nipping early problems in the bud."